People savvy enough to travel affordably via cheap travel optionssuch as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages areoften under certain illusions when it comes to flight attendants.
The following are myths commonly believed about flightattendants, according to Everett Potter:
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Layoversare one big party. In fact layovers tendto average between 8 to 10 hours. Anythingover 12 hours is viewed as a long layover. Typically flight attendants barely have time to eat, sleep, and showerbefore their next flights. Only the mostsenior flight attendants are assigned long layovers to popular destinationssuch as Buenos Aires, London, and Paris.
Typically flight attendants simply cocoon intheir hotel rooms. While crews dosometimes get together during layovers there is seldom a big party goingon. Flight attendants are subject torandom tests for alcohol, same as pilots.
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Passengersshould tip flight attendants for superior service. Most airlines do not allow their flightattendants to accept tips. The oneexception, though still frowned on by airlines, is that tipping seems to happena lot on flights to and from Las Vegas. Thebest way to reward flight attendants for exceptional service is postingcomments via social networks, such as Twitter or Facebook.
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Flightattendants choose their profession because of free travel. Most flight attendants say that jobflexibility is the prime reason they love their jobs, particularly if they havefamilies. These days, flights aregenerally very full and often there are no open seats. Flight attendants are well aware that theywill usually be unable to fly free around the holidays and weekends. Single flight attendants with flexibleschedules and those with pre-school age kids not restrained by a school regimenare the ones most likely to be able to take advantage of the free flying perk.
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Flightsattendants are largely waitresses/waiters in the sky. In fact the prime responsibilities of flightattendants are passenger safety and getting them from point A to point B. While flight attendants do serve snacks anddrinks their primary duties remain the safety and security of the flight.
The most common problem that flightattendants deal with is medical emergencies, particularly passengers who passout. Often it is up to flight attendantsto help a distressed passenger. Dehydrationon morning flights can result in passengers fainting. Sometimes they have not eaten or drankanything before a flight or they might be diabetic. Also flight attendants sometimes have to dealwith arguments between passengers that threaten to escalate. Unfortunately Air Marshalls are not on everyflight.
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Flightattendants are supposed to help passengers stow carry-ons in overheadcompartments. Airlines do not coverflight attendants who are injured while helping passengers with luggage. Passengers are encouraged to follow the rule: You pack it, you put it up. Dont carry-on bags too heavy for you tomaneuver.
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